NBA Trade Speculation: 5 Trades That Need to Happen This Season

This year's NBA trade deadline falls on March 15, giving teams almost another two months to decide whether they want to be buyers or sellers this spring.

Some deals, though, are destined to happen despite the direction the team is going. 

These five deals should benefit all teams involved by filling needs, clearing cap space and freeing up minutes for the league's emerging stars.

As a final note, sorry, but you won't find any Dwight Howard trade speculation here as I believe he should stay in Orlando.

Enjoy.

Nets, Grizzlies Swap Shooting Guards

The Deal:

Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Anthony Morrow, second-round pick

New Jersey Nets Receive: O.J. Mayo

Let's face it, O.J. Mayo isn't going to be resigned by the Grizzlies, so why not get something for him? 

Morrow is one of the league's best three-point shooters and would be a nice piece to come off the Memphis bench.  He comes rather inexpensively at $4 million for this year and next.

New Jersey would provide a fresh start for Mayo and the opportunity to start in a backcourt with one of the league's best point guards and a possible return to his 18 points-per-game form.

Grizzlies New Starting Five:

PG: Mike Conley Jr.

SG: Tony Allen

SF: Rudy Gay

PF: Zach Randolph

C: Marc Gasol

Bench: Morrow, Marreese Speights, Josh Selby, Dante Cunningham, Sam Young

Nets New Starting Five:

PG: Deron Williams

SG: O.J. Mayo

SF: Damion James

PF: Kris Humphries

C: Brook Lopez

Bench: Mehmet Okur, MarShon Brooks, DeShawn Stevenson, Jordan Williams, Sundiata Gaines

Bulls Send Joakim Noah to Twin Cities

The Deal:

Chicago Bulls Receive: Michael Beasley, Darko Milicic

Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Joakim Noah

Noah has been disappointing for Chicago thus far this season as backup Omer Asik continues to see strong minutes.  Moving Noah would not only mean big cap relief but a starting job for Asik.  The Bulls once had to choose between Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley.  Now they get both with Beasley as a go-to scorer off the bench who can play either forward position.  Milicic fills the role of defensive backup center.

Minnesota not only gets a talented rebounder and defensive center in Noah, but it frees up a starting position for Derrick Williams as well.  Kevin Love and Noah together would dominate on the glass and Minnesota could be competing for a playoff spot this year.

Bulls New Starting Five:

PG: Derrick Rose

SG: Rip Hamilton

SF: Luol Deng

PF: Carlos Boozer

C: Omer Asik

Bench: Beasley, Taj Gibson, C.J. Watson, Kyle Korver

T'Wolves New Starting Five:

PG: Ricky Rubio

SG: Wes Johnson

SF: Derrick Williams

PF: Kevin Love

C: Joakim Noah

Bench: Luke Ridnour, Wayne Ellington, Anthony Randolph, Jose Barea, Martell Webster, Anthony Tolliver

Lakers Land Steve Nash

The Deal:

L.A. Lakers Receive: Steve Nash, Josh Childress

Phoenix Suns Receive: Darius Morris, Luke Walton, Derek Fisher, Devin Ebanks, first-round pick

The Lakers failed to get Chris Paul, and if they don't end up getting Dwight Howard, LA will be desperate to make some sort of move to fuel up for the playoffs.  Steve Nash is still one of the game's elite playmakers and should help to inject life into a stagnant Lakers offense, if only for one playoff run before he hits free agency. 

The Suns begin youth movement by dealing Nash primarily for Morris and the first-round pick.  They make the Lakers take Childress and the four years left on his deal and in return take on the contracts of Walton and Fisher, both of which expire after next season.  Devin Ebanks is a nice, young player, and with this deal the Suns get younger, free up more cap space for the future and acquire an additional first rounder.

Lakers New Starting Five:

PG: Steve Nash

SG: Kobe Bryant

SF: Matt Barnes

PF: Pau Gasol

C: Andrew Bynum

Bench: Metta World Peace, Childress, Steve Blake, Troy Murphy, Josh McRoberts

Suns New Starting Five:

PG: Fisher/Morris

SG: Jared Dudley

SF: Grant Hill

PF: Markieff Morris

C: Marcin Gortat

Bench: Shannon Brown, Channing Frye, Robin Lopez, Ronnie Price, Hakim Warrick, Ebanks

Jazz, Kings, Bobcats Shake Up Roster

The Deal:

Utah Jazz Receive: D.J. Augustin, Boris Diaw, Jason Thompson, Isaiah Thomas, first-round pick (from Kings)

Charlotte Bobcats Receive: Paul Millsap

Sacramento Kings Receive: Devin Harris, D.J. White

Utah finds itself with a crowded frontcourt and will most likely be looking to move one of the higher-priced bigs in Millsap or Al Jefferson to make room for Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter.  Moving Millsap and Harris saves cap space and brings in two talented point guards in Augustin and Thomas.  Diaw can fill in at either forward position, and his expiring $9 million deal is very attractive.  Thompson can play the four or five and the future first-rounder from Sacramento helps too.

The Bobcats don't seem to be in love with Augustin after drafting Kemba Walker, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's dealt despite enjoying a nice season.  Dealing D.J. allows them to get a little bigger by moving Walker from shooting guard to point guard.  Millsap is a stud power forward who the team can build around.  Diaw wasn't going to be resigned, and giving up White would be worth it for Millsap.

It's no secret the Jazz have been shopping Harris due to his terribly unproductive season.  The Kings desperately need a true point guard as Tyreke Evans leads them with 4.4 assists per game.  Sacramento also receives D.J. White who would create a nice competition to push J.J. Hickson for the starting power forward spot.  They won't resign Thompson anyways, so giving up him and Thomas along with a future first rounder would be well worth it for someone with Harris' skill set.

Jazz New Starting Five:

PG: D.J. Augustin

SG: Raja Bell/Alec Burks

SF: Gordan Hayward

PF: Derrick Favors

C: Al Jefferson

Bench: Kanter, Thomas, Diaw, Thompson, C.J. Miles

Bobcats New Starting Five:

PG: Kemba Walker

SG: Gerald Henderson

SF: Corey Maggette

PF: Paul Millsap

C: Byron Mullens

Bench: Tyrus Thomas, Bismack Biyombo, Reggie Williams, Derrick Brown, Cory Higgins

Kings New Starting 5:

PG: Devin Harris

SG- Tyreke Evans

SF: John Salmons

PF- J.J. Hickson

C: DeMarcus Cousins

Bench: Marcus Thornton, White, Jimmer Fredette, Francisco Garcia, Travis Outlaw, Donte Greene

Celtics Begin Youth Movement

The Deal:

Boston Celtics Receive: Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins

Golden State Warriors Receive: Ray Allen, Jermaine O'Neal, Avery Bradley, JaJuan Johnson, first-round pick

Boston hates to get rid of Allen but knows they have to get younger to compete.  Ellis can be a head case, but in a veteran locker room with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett he should be at his best.  Ellis is the go-to scorer Pierce used to be and helps take pressure off the vets.  Biedrins is overpriced but provides a young defensive presence down low.

The Warriors now become Stephen Curry's team and the addition of Allen proves to be a great mentor for Curry and Klay Thompson.  JaJuan Johnson becomes the primary backup big, and the first rounder helps build for the future.  O'Neal fills in for now but is primarily dealt to get rid of Biedrins's contract.

Celtics New Starting Five:

PG: Rajon Rondo

SG: Monta Ellis

SF: Paul Pierce

PF: Kevin Garnett

C: Andris Biedrins

Bench: Mickael Pietrus, Keyon Dooling, Greg Steimsma, Brandon Bass, Marquis Daniels

Warriors New Starting Five:

PG: Stephen Curry

SG: Ray Allen

SF: Dorell Wright

PF: David Lee

C: Jermaine O'Neal

Bench: Thompson, Kwame Brown, Ekpe Udoh, Nate Robinson, Johnson, Bradley